Best Baby Cribs 101: Parents’ Ultimate Guide When Buying Baby Cribs A crib may look so big for your little one, but it is considered the safest place for your newborn to sleep. While there are parents who use a bedside sleeper, bassinet or cradle for the first few months, those who opt to use baby cribs are more worry-free and save money in the long run. Unlike bassinets and bedside sleepers, baby cribs are regulated by the federal government. To ensure that you get a baby crib that meets the up-to-date safety standards, it is important to purchase a new baby crib. When buying baby cribs, it is much better to choose one that has simple lines, without finials or scrollwork. A baby might be at risk for strangulation because his clothing or extremities might get caught in those detailed works. Commission regulations required the ban of drop-side models in 2011, wherein a drop side is a part of the crib that can be raised or lowered to one side to get the baby out, causing the death of 32 babies. The new standards for baby cribs include more rigorous durability testing and improved labeling and warnings. Consumer Reports’ testing is also performed that helps in addressing slat strength, structural integrity and mattress support. As much as possible, avoid accepting or buying a used baby crib because older models may not be in good condition anymore or might not meet the latest safety standards. Under the federal law, all baby cribs must display its production date and also indicated on its shipping carton. It is practical to bring a ruler when you go shopping for a baby crib to check for spaces between slats and if they’re more than 2 3/8 inches wide, they are too far away. It is crucial to check for protruding nuts, screws, decorative knobs, corner posts and sharp edges that can catch the clothing of your baby at the neck. Purchasing a new baby crib will protect your little one from hidden dangers like slats, drop sides or hardware that might have worn out or weakened with time and rough use. You can perform an in-store baby crib test to check for construction and workmanship by shaking the baby crib slightly and observe if the crib’s frame seems to loose. When buying a new crib, buy a new mattress at the same time to make sure they will fit well. A baby mattress suited for a fully-sized baby crib should be at least 27 1/4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches in length and the thickness should not be more than six inches as mandated by the law.What You Should Know About Sales This Year